Parents With Disabilities: How to Prepare Your Home and Your Life for a New Baby : By Ashley Taylor
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Parenting is a daunting task for anyone, but
people with disabilities may face special challenges that no one else can
understand. Just like anyone else, you will have baby equipment to buy,
baby-proofing to do, and financial needs to consider. You probably already have
a home modified to your needs, but now you will have to consider how to also
accommodate a baby’s needs.
Practicing Self-Care
Studies show that moms get an average of 17 minutes a day to themselves. This can
quickly lead to fatigue, frustration and overwhelment. And while most parents
are willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their children, an
overworked caretaker will not provide the best environment. That’s why taking care of yourself is more important than
ever, and the activities you use to de-stress do not have to be complicated or
long. Simply take a few minutes for yourself each day whenever you can to
journal, read, drink chamomile tea, or any other activity you find relaxing.
Baby-Proofing
Every parent has to prepare their home by
making sure their babies have a safe home to explore and play in. The
difference for people with disabilities is that you may want to prepare your
home way ahead of time as you may overestimate the amount of free time you will
have once the baby arrives. There is plenty of information about baby-proofing
online, and you can also hire an expert in many cities to do it for you. But a
few of the most important things to do are:
●
Install child-proof cabinet
latches and outlet covers.
●
Keep cleaning supplies and
medications in overhead cabinets out of children’s reach.
●
Install safety gates in areas
where your child shouldn’t go, or to keep them in the room with you when
mobility is an issue.
Getting the Right Equipment
There is a lot to buy for babies. Changing
tables, cribs, strollers...you name it. But for a parent with a disability, you
may even have to find equipment to help you care for your child that
others don’t, such as a side-opening crib or a stroller designed to attach to a
wheelchair. A lot of baby equipment can be modified to fit your needs, but
others might have to be purchased. Assessing your own needs and being prepared
are the best measures you can take before the little one arrives.
Finding Resources
What resources do you use already? When a baby
comes along, you will need to figure out which resources you are currently
using can accommodate a child and which resources you will need to seek out.
For example, will you need help with transportation in the event your child
needs medical attention? If so, will the transportation method you are using
now be sufficient? Finding resources that meet your needs will be something you
need to start doing well before the baby arrives. The National Council on
Disability offers resources to parents with disabilities for things
like government-funded personal assistance services (PAS), transportation, and
health care. No one should have to tackle these challenges alone.
Conclusion
According to the U.S. Census, over 20 million American families have at least one
member with a disability. Because of this, there are plenty of resources made
available to people who need them. Remembering that you are not alone and that
there are many parents who face your same struggles can be a lifeline of hope
and positive mental energy when you begin to face frustration. Prepare your
home and your life ahead of time and take care of yourself when you can.
Parenting can be stressful, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be
better than you ever imagined.
References:
Erin Leyba, 2017, Joyful Parenting, 25 Simple
Self - Care Tools for Parents -
The Tree House, Coping With Stress - A Guide
for Struggling Parents
Kathleen Rellihan, 2008, 30 Ways to Baby Proof
Your Home - http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/804372/ways-to-baby-proof-your-home
Tiffiny Carlson, 2014, 10 Amazing Products for
Parents with Disabilities - https://blog.themobilityresource.com/blog/post/10-amazing-products-for-parents-with-disabilities
National Council on Disability, 2012, Chapter
13: Supporting Parents with Disabilities and Their Families in the Community - https://www.ncd.gov/publications/2012/Sep272012/Ch13
U.S. Census Bureau, Qi Wang, 2005, Disability
and American Families: 2000 - https://www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/censr-23.pdf
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